News / National
Rainy season begins mid-November says Met dept
24 Oct 2012 at 05:01hrs | Views
THE Meteorological Services Department yesterday said the rains being experienced in Bulawayo and some parts of the country do not signal the onset of the rainy season.
The department said the rainy season is likely to start in mid-November.
Senior meteorological officer Mr Jonathan Chifuna said prior to the onset of the rainy season, it was common to have rains, but these did not indicate that the season had started.
"It is difficult to forecast the onset of the main rainy season and the start of the rainy season varies from place to place and from crop to crop. Climatologically our rains begin in the middle of November," said Mr Chifuna.
He said for farming activities, farmers were urged to liaise with their local agricultural authorities.
"Matabeleland provinces and Bulawayo were at the weekend affected by a cloud system from the west for most of the period. The remainder of the country was mostly under sunny conditions in the morning, becoming partly cloudy later in the day and this resulted in isolated showers," said Mr Chifuna.
According to figures released by the Meteorological Services Department notable rains recorded were on 16 October where Harare received 58 millimetres, Gokwe 15mm.
On 17 October Beitbridge had 48mm, Nyanga 22mm and Hwange 19mm while Mukandi recorded 22mm, Zvishavane 28mm, Kwekwe 33mm and Nkayi 29mm.
Mr Chifuna said moderate to heavy storms were reported in some areas while there were also reports of flash flooding in Beitbridge.
"Storms to the north of the country were the result of the hot conditions that were experienced, during the week. Notably Kariba and Chiredzi recorded 43 degrees Celsius on 20 October," said Mr Chifuna.
He said generally maximum temperatures across the country were above 30 degrees Celsius.
Mr Chifuna said for the coming week, from yesterday to 30 October, cloud conditions should be expected across the country, with light drizzle and rain south of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo.
"Afternoon and evening thunderstorms should also be expected. To the north, it should be partly cloudy to cloudy, with intermittent light rain and scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms, which may be heavy in places, especially over the north of Manicaland and Mashonaland East," said Mr Chifuna.
He said tthunderstorm activity at this time of the year was characterised by violent winds, lightning and hailstorm.
"We are also in the hottest part of the year and therefore the public is advised to use protective clothing such as hats and umbrellas and also to take a lot of fluids," said Mr Chifuna.
Over the past few years, rainfall patterns in the country have been erratic, throwing the farming season into disarray.
However, according to recent forecasts the country is expected to receive normal rainfall patterns in the 2012-2013 rainy season.
The department said the rainy season is likely to start in mid-November.
Senior meteorological officer Mr Jonathan Chifuna said prior to the onset of the rainy season, it was common to have rains, but these did not indicate that the season had started.
"It is difficult to forecast the onset of the main rainy season and the start of the rainy season varies from place to place and from crop to crop. Climatologically our rains begin in the middle of November," said Mr Chifuna.
He said for farming activities, farmers were urged to liaise with their local agricultural authorities.
"Matabeleland provinces and Bulawayo were at the weekend affected by a cloud system from the west for most of the period. The remainder of the country was mostly under sunny conditions in the morning, becoming partly cloudy later in the day and this resulted in isolated showers," said Mr Chifuna.
According to figures released by the Meteorological Services Department notable rains recorded were on 16 October where Harare received 58 millimetres, Gokwe 15mm.
On 17 October Beitbridge had 48mm, Nyanga 22mm and Hwange 19mm while Mukandi recorded 22mm, Zvishavane 28mm, Kwekwe 33mm and Nkayi 29mm.
Mr Chifuna said moderate to heavy storms were reported in some areas while there were also reports of flash flooding in Beitbridge.
"Storms to the north of the country were the result of the hot conditions that were experienced, during the week. Notably Kariba and Chiredzi recorded 43 degrees Celsius on 20 October," said Mr Chifuna.
He said generally maximum temperatures across the country were above 30 degrees Celsius.
Mr Chifuna said for the coming week, from yesterday to 30 October, cloud conditions should be expected across the country, with light drizzle and rain south of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo.
"Afternoon and evening thunderstorms should also be expected. To the north, it should be partly cloudy to cloudy, with intermittent light rain and scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms, which may be heavy in places, especially over the north of Manicaland and Mashonaland East," said Mr Chifuna.
He said tthunderstorm activity at this time of the year was characterised by violent winds, lightning and hailstorm.
"We are also in the hottest part of the year and therefore the public is advised to use protective clothing such as hats and umbrellas and also to take a lot of fluids," said Mr Chifuna.
Over the past few years, rainfall patterns in the country have been erratic, throwing the farming season into disarray.
However, according to recent forecasts the country is expected to receive normal rainfall patterns in the 2012-2013 rainy season.
Source - TC
